Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Best of BS: Guest Post by Nate

The Rhetoric and Realities of the Bush Administration, Originally posted 1-26-06

"The terrorists started this war and the president made it clear that we will end it at a time and place of our choosing." -Scott McClellan (source)

These comments are imprudent, as it unrealistically raises expectations. Furthermore it damages the credibility of the administration. The "War on Terror" has been recast as a "global struggle against violent extremism", (source) and four years after 9/11 we've still failed to capture or kill Bin Laden. The struggle against terrorists will not end quickly, and there will be no decisive end to the conflict.

President Bush yesterday cautioned Democrats not to engage in "irresponsible debate" over Iraq during midterm elections in November, asserting that partisan attacks will harm the U.S.-led mission and risk the lives of American soldiers. (source)

Silly me, I thought that open unrestricted debate was what RESPONSIBLE citizens engaged in. I catalogue this one in the same closet with my duct tape and plastic wrap.

"By promoting liberty abroad, we will build a safer world. By encouraging liberty at home, we will build a more hopeful America." -- George Bush

I must question the credibility this quote in light of secret warrant less wiretaps, and policies of rendition. With freedom like this who needs tyranny?

"The spirit is going to be one of continued exploration . . . seeking new horizons and investing in a program that . . . meets that objective," President Bush said.

The program was hailed as ambitious, but unrealistic. The funding for it is the savings that would come from retiring of the space shuttle, and the US has an obligation to the ISS that requires continued use of the shuttle until 2010. ( Source)

"These are the basic ideas that guide my tax policy: lower income taxes for all, with the greatest help for those most in need.” – George Bush

The Bush Tax Plan:

Replacing the current tax rates of 15, 28, 31, 36, and 39.6 percent with a simplified rate structure of 10, 15, 25, and 33 percent (see Appendix for rate schedule);

Doubling the child tax credit to $1,000 per child and applying the credit to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT);

Reducing the marriage penalty by reinstating the 10 percent deduction for two-earner couples;

Again Bush has an admirable sentiment. The devil is in the details. Eliminating the estate tax only benefits those that die with over a million dollars in estate. The poor and middle class have no need for the R&D tax credit.

Over the ten-year period, the richest Americans—the best-off one percent—are slated to receive tax cuts totaling almost half a trillion dollars. The $477 billion in tax breaks the Bush administration has targeted to this elite group will average $342,000 each over the decade. (source)

Yet again, the rhetoric doesn’t fit the reality.

And on a humorous note:

"You took an oath to defend our flag and our freedom, and you kept that oath under seas and under fire."

Nate is probably my most liberal commenter, BUT the boy has balls of steel. I respect Nate immensely because he never flames and runs off --he stays and argues his point and takes A LOT of grief for it... He's by far the bravest lib I've encountered. Thanks Nate!